Shop Local Farmers Markets
Duty-free shopping is a hallmark of the USVI shopping scene. But there’s another kind of shopping experience that visitors can enjoy — farmers markets. Filled with fresh produce, artisan foods and unique crafts, the farmers markets on St. Croix and St. Thomas offer a great way to sample locally sourced goods and score one-of-a-kind gifts.
St. Croix Farmers Markets
Saturday’s Farmer’s Market
Head to the bustling Agricultural Fairgrounds for the Saturday’s Farmer’s Market — an exciting dive into Crucian culinary and artisan culture. The market sells a variety of tasty local items, like the traditional Vienna cake — a seven-layer Crucian pastry filled with tart guava berry, lime and pineapple preserves, topped with white icing. Or sip drinks like golden-apple juice and sorrel. Shoppers can also browse crafts like purses and scarves made from brightly colored madras cloth and artwork depicting serene St. Croix scenes.
Southgate Corner Farmers’ Market
At Southgate Corner Farmers’ Market fresh produce — think breadfruit, bell apples, mangos and eggfruit — is the big seller. Ticos Garden brings organic produce fresh from their own garden, including juicy red, pink and white dragonfruit, plus creamy pollock avocados. They also sell pure coconut oil for cooking or skincare. Fiddlewood Farm stocks fresh goat cheese in delectable flavors like mango, cranberry, black pepper and French herb. Here, fishermen hawk fresh-caught tuna, filleted and sold in four- to six-pound bags on ice. Scoop up some organic eggs laid by local chickens from STX Local Eggs or opt for items like live orchids and handmade soaps.
Sejah Farm
The 15-acre Sejah Farm supports the community with fresh produce that’s normally imported to the island. Wildflower honey, watermelons, carrots and spinach are all for sale. Fresh lamb cut for stews, along with chicken, rabbit and pork, is also available. Catch events like cooking demonstrations and farm-to-table dinners hosted by Sejah Farm, including the annual Bush Cook Chef Cook event held in late October.
Ridge to Reef Farm
Experience a farm stay or organic community dinners in the lush rainforest location of Ridge to Reef Farm. Their farm stays include housing in solar-powered cabanas equipped with outdoor porches, sinks and outhouses. Grab an interpretive map and go on a self-guided tour of the farm’s leafy landscape or let a farm staff member take the lead and tell you all about the farm’s certified-organic framework and the local plants that surround it. Sejah Farm also holds bush skills classes to teach visitors how to recognize healing plants and herbs.
St. Thomas Farmers Markets
Bordeaux Farmers’ Market
Twice a month, the Bordeaux Farmers’ Market on St. Thomas sponsors a festive community market that stocks organic local fruits like passionfruit, breadfruit and mango, plus locally crafted jams, pepper sauces and fruit wines. Fruit tarts and spices like nutmeg and lemongrass are also available. The market acts as a local gathering place, as well as a shopping spot. Vendors and shoppers often sing, dance and play games together toward the end of the day.
St. Thomas Farmers Market
Market Square is the site of the daily St. Thomas Farmers Market, where locals gather to sell and buy goods. The market’s hallmark is the big cast-iron bungalow built during the early 20th century that stretches out over the square, providing shelter for the vendors’ stalls. The busiest market day is Saturday, when locals shop for the week’s groceries and stock up on treats like fresh coconut water and passionfruit wine. Kitchen staples like celery, onions, thyme and bay leaf are also on hand. Wander the stalls and find local teas or dig into meat pates, stews and soups. Vendors often hand out samples to shoppers and are happy to explain the uses for their goods.
Vendors Plaza
Vendors Plaza is an outdoor marketplace that brims with activity. Vendors selling artisan crafts like hand-painted gourds, custom charm bracelets and woven hats come together in candy-colored kiosks along St. Thomas’ waterfront. Take a seat and get your hair braided or just snag some snacks and ice-cream cones and roam around. Don’t be afraid to haggle for bargains.
The Fruit Bowl
Family-owned and serving the St. Thomas community since 1975, The Fruit Bowl is conveniently located just a few blocks from Yacht Haven Grande Marina in the Wheatley Shopping Center. Browse specialty vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free products, or build your own bowl at the sprawling salad bar. Stacks of fresh fruits and vegetables like carambola, plums, tamarind and squash fill the aisles. A nice selection of seafood, meats, cheeses and dry goods complete the St. Thomas grocery store experience.
Find more USVI shopping experiences.
Discover more St. Croix markets and grocery stores.